West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, Master of
Business Administration, 1978

West Virginia University, Bachelor of Science: Engineer of
Mines, 1973

EMPLOYMENT

INDEPENDENT EXPERT US COAL INDUSTRY BANKRUPTCY REORGANIZATIONS, 2015 - PRESENT:
BLACKACRELLC has been selected as the Independent Expert to the Unsecured Creditors
in the Patriot Coal; Alpha Natural Resources; Arch Coal and Peabody Coal
Bankruptcy Reorganizations. These major restructurings involve $30
Billion of debts to Senior Lenders and Unsecured Creditors. Mr.
Blackburn has focused on finding value for his clients in
Unencumbered Assets, Analysis of Debtor Business Plans and
Valuation of Corporate businesses. Mr. Blackburn has provided
Expert Opinions and Testimony in US Bankruptcy Courts in Richmond, VA
and St. Louis, MO in support of client motions. In this role, he works
closely with Bankruptcy Counsel, Investment Banks and Financial Advisors.

ZEIGLER COAL HOLDING COMPANY, Senior Vice President of
Operations, 1994 – 1999 Responsibilities included profit and loss as
Chief Operating Officer for $700 million per year coal company with
over 2,000 salaried and hourly employees (reporting directly and
indirectly). IPO team member 1995. $800mm offering. Participated in
$750mm revolver financing, 1997.

Direct Reports include: President of Triton Coal Company
(18 Mtpy), President of Bluegrass Coal Development Company (10 Mtpy),
President of Mountaineer Coal Development Corporation (8 Mtpy) and Vice
President of Operations Support.

Initiated the Individual Safety Responsibility (ISR)
Safety Program and cut lost time accidents by 50%. Initiated and
sponsored seven Systems Improvement Groups: Coal Processing,
Environmental, Maintenance, Safety, Supply Chain Management, Surface
and Underground, which focus on cost savings, revenue generation and
productivity improvement throughout the entire coal business segment
resulting in a cost reduction of $10 million per year.

Instituted a five-year management training program in
conjunction with a Succession Planning effort.

ENERGY INDUSTRY CONSULTANT, Strategy, Litigation Support,
General Management, 1992 – 1994 Client List included: Goldman Sachs,
General Dynamics and Public Service of Indiana (The two largest Fuel Supply
Agreement Litigations in US history).

Instituted a Corporate Safety Program and cut lost-time
accidents by 50%. Upgraded preparation plants and added 3% yield on 11
Mtpy. Returned Mettiki Coal Corporation to profitability in 1990 and
1991, with 1992 Second Quarter Costs at a 15-year low. Designed and
acquired new shields for a 750-foot longwall face. Instituted total
quality management and on-line analysis for optimum control. Introduced
industrial engineering techniques, resulting in production increases up
to 30%. Instituted three-year management training program in
conjunction with succession planning effort.

A.T. MASSEY COAL COMPANY, INC., 1973 – 1990 Responsibilities
included: Completed final negotiations for acquisition requiring
authorization of approximately $135 million; completed review of major
American coal company as possible acquisition and prepared valuation
for submission to final bid for an expanding company (project required
authorization for expenditures in excess of $200 million).

Head, Mergers & Acquisitions Group

President, The Elk Run Group, 1979 – 1986 Formed The Elk
Run Group combining five independent coal companies. Acquired Peerless
Eagle Coal Company (1983) and brought the company from a loss of $5
million (1983) to a profit of $500,000 (1985); increased coal
production by 60%, while reducing staff by 70%; increased sales from
$40 million to $100 million; turned a profit from a loss of $1 million
(1983) to a gain of $8.5 million (1986), which remained constant
through the spring of 1989; obtained a $1.3 million judgment against
United Mine Workers of America for damages caused by a secondary
boycott, and initiated long-term strategic planning. Founded Elk Run
Coal Company and arranged for all financing, facilities, design,
planning, construction, hiring and sub-contracting. Responsible for
design of complementing organizational infrastructure including
personnel policies, accounting procedures and administrative support.
Successfully met legal challenges by the United Mine Workers of
America, thereby maintaining union-free status. Increased revenue from
$0 to $40 million and turned a profit from loss of $.5 million to a
gain of $4 million.